James Joyce Ulysses & Finnegans Wake 1922 & 1939

Joyce’s references in Ulysses and in Finnegan’s Wake to Beggars Bush are not literary usages. These are examples of the phrase re-entering literature from a place name. Joyce is referring to the place name in Dublin. From April to August 1904 he lodged with the McKernon’s in Beggars Bush, Donnybrook. This is also the source of several more twentieth century usages in folk and punk songs.

Ulysses

Circe
He stands at Cormack’s corner, watching)
BLOOM
Aurora borealis or a steel foundry? Ah, the brigade, of course. South side anyhow. Big blaze. Might be his house. Beggar’s bush. We’re safe. (he hums cheerfully) London’s burning, London’s burning! On fire, on fire! (he catches sight of the navvy lurching through the crowd at the farther side of Talbot street) I’ll miss him. Run. Quick. Better cross here.
(He darts to cross the road Urchins shout.)

Finnegans Wake

Book 3 Chapter 4
Hi, Jocko Nowlong, my own sweet boosy love, which he puts his feeler to me behind the beggar’s bush, does Freda, don’t you be an emugee!

Posted: April 10th, 2011 | Filed under: Writers | Tags: David King, Dublin, Flogging Molly, James Joyce, Literary, The 'Ol Beggars Bush, Whiskey on a Sunday | No Comments »